IndiGo's Global Bet: Doubles Airbus Order, Strikes Deal With Delta, Air France, Virgin

Skift

2 days ago

For years, India's aviation sector was mostly seen as a feeder to global giants. Now, with big jets and even bigger partners, IndiGo hopes to flip the script.
IndiGo is doubling its order of Airbus A350 wide body jets and entering a new partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic — a move that signals the Indian carrier's push into long-haul international markets.
'We will continue to add one aircraft each and every week for pretty much the next decade,' said CEO Pieter Elbers at a press briefing in Delhi on the first day of the annual IATA industry conference.
The airline, which last year received 58 aircraft from Airbus, signed a new memorandum of understanding to convert 30 of its 70 existing A350 purchase rights into firm orders. This brings IndiGo's confirmed A350 wide body fleet to 60 aircraft, with the deliveries of the first 30 beginning in 2027.
Last April, IndiGo placed its first-ever order for 30 A350 wide body aircraft with Airbus. The scale of the order cements IndiGo's intent to challenge established players in the long-haul international market, a segment the low-cost carrier has largely avoided until now.
To tide over a delivery gap, IndiGo has begun leasing six wide body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from Norwegian low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways.
IndiGo Pact With Delta, AirFrance-KLM, and Virgin
The airline also announced an alliance with Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.
The agreement — subject to regulatory approval — creates a framework to integrate IndiGo's domestic network with transatlantic and European routes, enabling seamless bookings, loyalty program ties, and coordinated flight schedules.
'Linking dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and India, the airlines aim to meet rising demand for international travel," IndiGo said in a statement.
The joint network would leverage IndiGo's deep domestic penetration, Delta's U.S. footprint, Air France-KLM's European hubs, and Virgin Atlantic's transatlantic links.
Once implemented, IndiGo will sell international partner flights under its own 6E code, giving its customers access to more than 30 European cities via Amsterdam, as well as North America through Manchester and beyond.
Virgin Atlantic's chief Shai Weiss said the tie-up would link 'four of the world's largest economies."
The partnership lays the groundwork for deeper integration: joint sales and network planning, coordinated cargo operations, shared technology and sustainability initiatives, and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, described India as 'a strategic market' and pointed to his group's 'strong and historic presence' in the country, one that is soon set to expand dramatically.
Delta said that it plans to resume services to India with nonstop flights between Atlanta and Delhi, subject to government approval.
"We look forward to restarting Delta's direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future,' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said.
10 New International Destinations
To get a sense of IndiGo's expansion ambitions: the carrier already operates more than 2,200 flights a day, serves 91 domestic and 41 international destinations, and flew 118 million passengers in fiscal 2025, up sharply from 78 million before the pandemic.
By the end of this fiscal year, the airline expects to add four more domestic airports and 10 new international destinations: London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Manchester, and Athens, in Europe; Siem Reap in Southeast Asia; and four destinations across Central Asia.
Elbers also revealed that the new Mumbai airport - Navi Mumbai airport, will connect to 14 international destinations at launch.
The airline is simultaneously improving the onboard experience, rolling out its "Stretch" extra-legroom product on select international routes, beginning with Bangkok, Singapore, Phuket, and Dubai.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers at Skift India Forum